"When You Give In To God, God Will Bless You."

Hey everyone!

Last week was Zone Conference, and our main focus for this one was finding people who are ready to receive the gospel.  President Hermansen, Sister Hermansen, the Assistants, & the Zone Leaders all gave great insights on how we can improve ourselves & our efforts so that we may be able to find those "who are only kept from the truth because they know not where to find it" (D&C 123:12).

We have found a few more people who definitely have potential, and it's just a matter of fitting into their super busy schedules :)

Yesterday was Stake Conference out here, & the talks & testimonies that were shared were awesome!  I especially loved Mike's testimony that he shared; he spoke about his family's experience in coming out here--they started with nothing, & he prayed for the Lord to help them.  Soon after, they were so blessed everything they needed: a job, a place to live, food, and a church.  He testified that "When you give in to God, God will bless you."  He also spoke about Alma 32:28--"when you plant that seed and you make it grow, people can see that light."  He truly spoke from his heart and his testimony was so strong that everyone felt it and there was not a dry eye in the room.  I love this gospel and what I love even more is having the privilege of being a witness to the changes it brings to people's lives, and seeing them become truly converted!

I would also like to share an excerpt from an email from my family:

"Yesterday's [Stake Conference] session we listened to President Eyring and Elder Holland in and Area Broadcast to all 96 stakes in Arizona.  Each talked about the early days of the church in AZ and the sacrifice and dedication that was made by the early pioneers and settlers of the church here in the state and how blessed we are to now have six temples available.  Elder Holland emphasized some of the great announcements made at this last general conference, especially in regards to missionary work and how much more prepared the missionaries turning 18 need to be and how we as members need to "lengthen our stride" in supporting all these new missionaries to provide them with teaching opportunities that they will have a successful and fruitful mission.  President Eyring talked about being a positive optimist in these latter-days when so much is occurring and so many trials are being faced, we need to develop the faith in the Lord that will help us endure what is to come and prepare ourselves and look towards Christ's 2nd coming."

May we all do our best to become truly converted, strengthen those around us, and be optimistic in times of trial.  May we all be aware of & grateful for all that our Heavenly Father has blessed us with.
I know that God lives & He loves each and every one of us.  He is our Father & when we do our best, He will make up the rest.  I bear this witness in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Take care, be safe, and I love you all!

Be strong & faithful because He was!

~Sister San Diego

Car Inspection time

The Elko Zone - November 8, 2012

Happy November!

How are you all doing??

I forgot to mention in my last email that it SNOWED on October 23rd!!  Yes, it was that exciting to this low desert Sister :)  There was enough to make snowballs ;) and the next day I drove in a snowstorm for the first time--fun stuff!

We have a couple new investigators!  One is Trevor, who was referred to us by some other Elders, and Naomi, who was an investigator before!  We have also met a few others who used to be taught by missionaries, and they were welcome to us coming by again--we just need to catch them at a good time in the midst of their crazy busy schedules :)

Trevor is a good guy--he has a sincere desire to turn his life around for the better & we are excited to watch him grow & improve as he learns more about the gospel!  Naomi is a young mom & wants to have a foundation for her kids--can't wait to visit her family again!

Saturday we had the privilege of being present for the baptism & confirmation of a girl in our ward, and the baptism of a man who was taught by Elders in our District!  Speakers from both baptisms mentioned how baptism is the gate that opens the pathway to the temple--how true & wonderful it is!

Yesterday was fast & testimony meeting, and I Loved all the testimonies that were shared--the Spirit was so strong there!  Different people shared about the baptism, the temple, the good examples of others, & missionary work.

During the meeting, I noticed some people who were there that I hadn't seen at church in a while, and I was so overjoyed to see them!  Then the thought came to me: "If this is how happy I am to see them in church, imagine how joyful it would be to meet each other in the temple, and even in the Celestial Kingdom!"

I testify that this is truly the Lord's Church restored again on the earth.  I know Joseph Smith saw our Heavenly Father and His Son, our Savior Jesus Christ, and was a true prophet.  The Book of Mormon is a true record written by ancient prophets, and if anyone will read it, learn from it, and apply what they learn to their lives, they will come closer to our Father in Heaven & will have the strength to face the challenges of life.  I know that Jesus Christ lives, and that he took upon Himself each of our personal sins & sufferings, that through Him we may have the opportunity to enter God's kingdom.  I know President Thomas S. Monson is our living prophet today, & he and the First Presidency & Twelve Apostles are inspired men of God.  The Gospel of Jesus Christ is true, and I testify that it can bring us true happiness & that those who live it are blessed.  I bear this witness in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Be strong & faithful because the Savior was!

~Sister San Diego

April Gets Baptized! Hurray!!

Hi Everyone,

Here are my highlights for the week!

In our District Meeting, we got a few new ideas of how we can find more people who are ready to be taught--things have been a little slow lately.

Friday was the Ward's Trunk-or-Treat; a couple we've been working with brought a few nonmember friends with them, and another friend of theirs who is trying to come back to church was there yesterday!

We have been following up with people who used to take lessons from missionaries, and one was a man who I will call Stu.  He is a really good guy & is welcome to us coming to teach him!  Can't wait to see how it goes!

We were able to attend April's baptism, and it was such a privilege to witness it!  She is an awesome girl & I'm so proud of her & her desire to choose the right & help her family :)

Turns out Mike is already a member, & they will be getting married soon!  I am so excited for their family & their goal is to be sealed in the temple on their anniversary!  =D

That's about it for now--take care!

Be strong & faithful because Christ was!

~Sister San Diego

Called of God To Declare HIS Word Among HIS People!!

Hello everyone!

We haven't had much success this week, but we have met a few new people & hope to have some progress with them!  What's funny is 2 of our investigators from the area that just got split from us are set for baptism on 10/27 (April) & in November (Mike, whose family moved into the ward a little before transfers).  Sis. Felagai & I are super excited & the best part is that we're still close enough to go to the baptisms!  The other Sisters are so lucky to come into an area & have people who are super ready to be baptized soon after!

This week we'll try different ways of finding more people who are ready to have Christ's gospel in their lives--we'll see how it goes!

One more thing--there are a lot of new pictures on the mission blog!  http://nevadarenomission.blogspot.com :D  Elder Santillan was one of the 11 that went home--we'll miss him & we wish him the best!

Seeing all those new missionaries makes me so excited, and it makes me remember how true this gospel is and how we have been truly called of God to declare His word among His people, that they might have everlasting life!

Love you all--be faithful & strong because He was!

~Sister San Diego

Pray Always For HIS Help!

Hi everyone!

Crazy story:  on 9/30, I saw 3 guys from a friend's YSA ward back home in the Branch I serve in!  Then yesterday, I saw one more from the same ward in the Ward I'm serving in!  It was funny to run into people from Mesa all the way out here in these small town Nevada places :)

Transfers were on Wednesday & we welcomed Sisters Anderson & Boots and Elder Clunas to our District!  The Sisters took over a Ward of ours, so we spent the whole day showing them the area, introducing them to Melissa & April, and escorting them to their home--it was a very fulfilling day!

Having only one Ward & one Branch is so helpful--not only does the other Ward have their own full-time missionaries 24/7, we get to focus more on these two units.  So excited to see the work progress!

We have been visiting a Sister who is gradually making progress in coming back to church & improving her life--there have been ups & downs, but it is AMAZING seeing how far she has come in the past 3 months!  I truly testify that when we determine to be with God & do our best to follow His Son, & pray always for His help, we will be strengthened in our efforts to do so & our faith & testimonies will be strengthened as well!!!

I look forward to what this transfer brings, & hope that you are all doing well!

Be strong & faithful because He was!

~Sister San Diego

General Conference!

Hi all!

A couple crazy announcements:

1) as of Saturday, the minimum missionary age has been changed to 18 for Elders, 19 for Sisters!  So exciting!  Can't wait to have those extra helps in the field!

2) Sister Felagai & I are still together for this transfer & covering part of our area--one ward of ours will be covered by a new set of Sisters--that makes 6 Elders & 4 Sisters in our District, woohoo!

3) Elder Siddoway, one of our Zone Leaders, has been called as the new Assistant to the President!!  (knew it would happen, haha :) )  The current Assistants are Elders Marks, Sparks, & Sohkanen, & the first two go home tomorrow!  I can't believe those 3 months have flown by already!  Elders Marks & Sparks were such awesome examples & I wish them the best as they move on in their lives!  Elder Siddoway is going to be a wonderful Assistant--he is very focused, humble, obedient, and has such a strong testimony.  We'll miss him a lot, but at least we get to see him at Zone Conferences.

4) Elders Watson & Fillmore's area is being placed in a different Zone, so we don't get to have them in our District anymore :(  but congrats to Elder Watson on becoming a District Leader in their new District!  We'll miss them too--hope to see them another time!

5) We get 25 new missionaries tomorrow!  21 Elders & 4 Sisters!

6) Tucson temple was announced!  Yay for AZ!!

I forgot to mention last week that we had a Sister Missionary Conference last Friday--it was so AWESOME!!!  I loved seeing all the other Sisters, especially Sisters Frost, Moore, Overson, Nunn, & it was a great opportunity to meet the new Sisters that came in August!  I loved the things that were shared & I look forward to the next one in March!

We watched General Conference with the Elders at the Stake Center & with Melissa at her house.  I loved the Saturday Morning session so much!!  If you haven't watched General Conference, stop reading this & go to lds.org right now!

Among my favorite talks were from Dieter F. Uchtdorf, Dallin H. Oaks, Jeffrey R. Holland, Shayne M. Bowen, & Russell M. Nelson (if you watch Elder Nelson's talk, you'll know why, haha)

This Conference has been amazing--everything that was spoken about is what everyone needs to hear right now.  Common topics were time, family, the Atonement, and what matters most.  Especially pay attention to things that are mentioned more than once--those things aren't repeated just for the sake of saying it.

I would love to elaborate &/or add quotes like my dear younger Elder brother has, but the time is far spent for me to email today, so I encourage ALL of you to watch General Conference!  Please :)  I promise that if you do, you will find a talk that speaks to YOU, that has guidance for your life, that will help you if you will listen to & heed the words of the Prophet, Apostles, & other Church leaders.

Until next week!  Love ya, & so do Jesus & Heavenly Father!

Be strong & faithful because He was!

~Sister San Diego

Sister Missionary Conference

We began our fun day with breakfast!  There were lots of 
cooks in the kitchen and we enjoyed every minute of it!

As Sisters in Zion We'll All Work Together!

Lunch at Dickey's

Smile Sisters!

The sisters can't get enough of each other!

General Conference is coming up!

Hi all!

Hope you're doing awesome!

I can't believe it's October already!

This week has been one of our less-fantastic ones; different days left us with less time than usual for different reasons.  Yay for a new week!!

Transfers are going to be on the 9th & 10th, and I really hope that I'll get to stay in some part of our area.  The people here are so great, I love working with them, and I really want to see this area grow!!

We have investigators that are progressing, and others that aren't as much.  I would be bummed to let go of any of them, but there comes a point when we need to let them take more initiative on keeping commitments & moving forward.

General Conference is coming up!  I'm so excited to hear from the Prophet & the Apostles this coming Saturday & Sunday!  Check it out at lds.org!  Chances are a question on your mind will be answered by something someone says in those 2 days.  Also, the Women's Conference is already on the site--the speakers shared some wonderful talks regarding the Atonement :)

That's about it for now, take care and be strong & faithful because He was!

~Sister San Diego